ATV Offroad Fury 4

Posted: 11/29/06

If you’re one of those virtual racers with dirt in your blood, you’re probably still smarting over the announcement that the much-hyped Motorstorm was not available on day one for the PlayStation 3. But don’t despair; Sony’s got your desire to play in the dirt covered with the latest game in the ATV Offroad Fury franchise. Does it soar to victory or end up with dirt in its teeth?

The debate as to whether a story in a racing game is really necessary continues to rage on message boards internet-wide. But if there’s one thing most can agree on, it’s that the plot line in just about every racing game ever made is awful.

ATV Offroad Fury toes the line on this one, with a story that was better left on the cutting-room floor. You play as a young, talented racer who gave it all up during his prime, and has now returned to prove to himself and the rest of the world that he’s still got what it takes. Old alliances and rivalries flare up within seconds of his return, and so on and so forth.

It’s ridiculously written and acted. The only saving grace is that each story scene is book-ended by the excellent on-track action. Really, the story is just a way to drive players through everything ATV Offroad Fury has to offer.

Thankfully, story mode isn’t all that’s on offer here. Along with that, you get a bevy of play options that include a classic mode where you work through various race types at your own pace, single race mode, and online options that include single races and tournaments.

Out of the various race options--indoor and outdoor circuits, sponsorship challenges, and stunt events--the greatest one is the point-to-point race. Here you get to drive any of ATV’s four different types of vehicles: ATVs, dirt bikes, buggies, or trucks. Your mixed group of competitors then takes to a branching track in an all-out, winner-takes-all contest. Choosing the proper route for the type of vehicles you’re in is key here, and is what makes this style of race so interesting. The shorter, bumpier routes are great for light vehicles, while the flat, high-speed sections are more tailored to the heavier trucks and buggies.

It all feels very much like what Motorstorm is supposed to be offering on Sony’s next-gen console sometime soon. Whether that matters to you or not, ATV features more than enough game options to keep you racing for months to come.

The ATV series has always excelled at being extremely accessible and deep at the same time. Offroad Fury 4 is no exception, featuring controls that even the greenest of rookies can pick up quickly, knocking off a few wins early in their career with just basic racing skills.

But the beauty lies in pre-loading your jumps, something that makes all the difference in the world on the later tracks in ATV 4. Knowing when to just take a jump normally, and when to load your springs for a bit of extra boost--and thus longer air-time--is the key to success. It’s all done with simple flicks of the analog stick as you’re about to defy gravity, and how much or little loading you do is entirely up to you. This mechanic has been in the series for quite a while, and it still manages to add a bit of hidden depth to an outwardly simple racer.

The heavier vehicles in ATV Offroad Fury 4 require less finesse, but are still fun to drive thanks to their completely different feel. Setting up and driving through each turn on the lighter vehicles is pretty simple, while throwing the heavier vehicles around requires a lot more planning and control.

ATV is one of those rare games where you’ll be competitive right out of the gate, but reap real rewards by learning the intricacies of the control scheme and, more importantly, each and every track you run on. And friends, this is what separates the average racing games from the good ones.

The Offroad Fury series may not look as pretty as the upcoming Motorstorm, but it still delivers on the aging PlayStation 2 hardware. The addition of the extra vehicles and racing styles takes what was already a solid premise and brings it to the next level. It’s a definite must-play for racing fans who enjoy getting a little dirty.

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